Krebs council approves ordinance raising citation fines to fund police vehicles

The City of Krebs City Council voted unanimously Sept. 17 to adopt Ordinance 24-05, raising municipal citation amounts by 27% up to a maximum of $50 and earmarking the revenue for capital outlay for the police department, including vehicles and equipment.

During discussion, city finance reviewer Mike Kern urged the council to include language creating a separate cash or checking account for the ordinance proceeds so the funds can be tracked. "The ordinance should include some verbiage about setting up a separate checking account so that you can track it," Kern said, noting the need for clear accounting lines before the new revenue is spent.

Mayor Tommy Ray Walker asked whether the income from the ordinance could be used only by the police department; Dennis Cook, speaking for the department, confirmed it would fund police capital needs. Councilmember David Bailey moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion carried unanimously.

Immediately after adoption, the council voted to declare the ordinance an emergency measure "necessary for the immediate preservation of peace, health, or safety" pursuant to Title 11 Statute 14-103, allowing the measure to take effect without delay.

The council did not specify implementation dates or a timeline for creating the dedicated account during the meeting. City staff and the clerk were directed in discussion to ensure the ordinance language and accounting structure make clear that proceeds are restricted to police capital outlay and that expenditures will return to council for approval.

The ordinance vote was among several administrative and operational items the council handled during the Sept. 17 meeting; the council also approved equipment purchases for the fire department, several abatements and the hiring of a new police officer.